Railway-switch-throwing mechanism.



BATE-MED MAY 12, 1908. J. N. QUINN. RAILWAY SWITCH THROWING MEGHA NISMy APPLICATION FILED AUG.12. 1907.

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5 wuem toz Witt lea o N0. 887,226.- PATENTED MAY 12, 1908.

J. N. QUINN. RAILWAY SWITCH THROWING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG.12, 1907.

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JOHN N. QUINN, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

RAILWAY-SWITCH-THROWING MECHANISM.

Application filed August 12, 1907.

Specification of Letters Patent. 4

Patented May 12, 1908. 9

Serial No. 388,186.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN N. QUINN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Switch-Throwing Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in a railway switch operating device, whereby the switch can be operated at a distant point by a moving train.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide means held under tension and maintained between the switch rails and manual same is released it will automatically move I the switch rails to one position.

Another object of my invention is to provide automatic switch throwing means positioned between the switch rails and manual switch throwing devices, whereby the switch can be thrown manually independent of the automatic control.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for throwing the train operated devices out of commission during one position of the switch throw.

Various other features of my invention are more fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my switch operating devices in position for use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the train operated trip. Fig. 3 is an end elevation thereof.

Fig. 4 is a central vertical section through the automatic switch throwing mechanism. Fig. 5 is a section on line :0, at, Fig. 7, showing the automatic switch throwing mechanism in a position adapted to be engaged by the train operated devices. Fig. 6 is a similar view to that of Fig. 5, showing the parts in their released position. Fig. 7 is a central vertical section similar to Fig. 4, illustrating the parts in a different switch throwing position. Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the automatic switch throwing mechanism.

The features of my invention are to place an automatic switch throwing device be tween the switch rails and manually operated switch stand, whereby when the switch is thrown to cause the main line to be open to a siding place the automatic switch throwing devices in a position to be released by the moving train enabling the switch rails to be automatically thrown to close the main line against the siding, thereby preventing the train from running into the siding.

1, 2, represent the main rails, and 3, 4, represent the switch rails, switch rail 3 bein adapted to be moved toward the main re 1 for opening the main track to the siding. As shown, the main track is clear.

6 represents a switch bar connected to the switch rails 3, 4, and extended forward to the automatic switch throwing devices.

7 represents a casing or housing within which the automatic switch throwing devices are mounted.

8 represents a switch stand of ordinary construction for manually throwing the switch rails.

9 represents a sliding frame mounted within the housing 7.

11 represents a connection link, one end of which is pivotally connected to the sliding frame 9, the opposite end to the crank rod of the switch stand 8.

It is obvious that the crank rod for the manual throwing of the switch rails can be mounted directly upon the housing 7 and. in a direct connection with the sliding frame 9 and thus an integral structure formed without affecting the essential features of my invention.

12 represents a sleeve slidably mounted within the sliding frame 9, provided with a series of grooves 13, adapted to engage with the ribs 14 formed on the interior of the sliding frame 9.

15 represents a rib projected from the sleeve 12, adapted to be engaged by a trip rod when the sleeve and sliding frame are moved in one position, the features of which will be more fully hereinafter described.

The switch bar 6 is carried forward from the switch rail and projects through the ends 16 of the sliding frame 9 and through a bore formed in the sleeve 12.

17, 18, represents cushioning springs on the switch bar 6, upon each side of a flange formed at one end of the sleeve 12 for taking off any undue strains or ars from the sleeve 12, the same forming connecting means between the switch bar sliding frame and link 1 1 of the switch stand for manually operating the switch rails.

/1'9 represents an expansion spring, one end of which bears against the end 16 of the sliding frame 9, the opposite end against the flange of the sleeve 12, the function of this spring is to operate the switch rails when the sleeve 12 is thrown to a released position and the switch rails are partially open irrespective of the position of the sliding frame and the manual switch control. The setting of this automatic throwing mechanism is accomplished as follows :The sleeve 12 is forced forward toward the end 16 of the sliding frame 9 until the grooves 13 are disengaged from the ribs, when the sleeve is moved to the right throwing the grooves 13 out of alinement with the ribs 14 the ends of the ribs abutting the ends of the sleeve. Such movement of the sleeve 12 compresses the spring 19, and retains it under compression until the sleeve 12 has been brought to a position to aline the grooves 13 with the ribs 14, freeing the sleeve from its locked position, and moving the same toward the connecting link 11 carrying with it the switch bar 6, operating the switch rails, the automatic throwing of the switch rails being accomplished entirely by the expansion of the spring 19 through the release of the sleeve from its locked position on the sliding frame. The resetting of the automatic switch throwing mechanism is effected manually as described.

20 re resents a stop for limiting the movement of the sleeve in a direction toward the end 16 of the sliding frame 9. When the sleeve 12 is in its set position as shown in Figs. 4,7 and 8 a practically rigid connection will be maintained between the connecting bar 11 and switch bar 6 through the sliding frame 9, sleeve 12 and springs 17, 18. The sleeve 12 is in such a position that it cannot move to the right or left independent of the sliding frame 9 but must move therewith owing to the contact against stop 20 and the edges of the ribs 14. The stop 20 is not essential, owing to the fact that the spring 19 is compressed to such a degree that the switch rail and switch bar 6 will yield to movement more readily than the further com pression of the spring 19. With the sleeve in the position as shown in Figs. 4, 7 and 8 or in its locked position the switch rails can be moved manually through the manually operated mechanism of the switch stand 8. The casing 7 is also preferably provided with a removable cover plate 7 in order to gain access therein to reset the sleeve after it has been automatically released, and can ,be sealed to prevent unduly authorized persons tampering with the mechanism contained in the casing. After an automatic switch movement it is necessary to reset the sleeve 12 in its proper position upon the sliding frame before it is possible to operate the switch manually through the switch stand.

This is desirable for the reason that it can be shown that the siding has been carelessly or otherwise left open and be noted by proper officials of the railroad company before the switch has been reset.

To effect a release of the sleeve 12 and spring 19 at a distant point by the moving train, the following instrumentalities are provided:-21 represents a trip rod provided with a catch 22 at one end, the opposite end being in engagement with the trip lever 23, positioned at a distant point along the track. 24 represents a cushioning spring on the rod 21 for taking off undue jars or strains when the trip lever 23 is actuatedby a moving train, thereby avoiding breakage to the auto matic switch stand mechanism. 25 represents a housing for protecting the trip lever 23.

It is sometimes desirable to throw the trip lever out of position when the switch rails are open to the main rail, leaving the main line clear, thereby preventing unnecessary action against the trip lever by the moving train. This release can only be effected when the main line is clear and is accomplished by the following instrumentalities:26 represents a cam plate fixed to the sliding frame 9 provided with an inclined way 27, adapted to be brought during the forward movement of the sliding frame 9 into engagement with the end of the trip rod 21, thereby moving the same forward which action will cause the lever 23 to descend throwing the same out of position of engagement with the trip mechanism carried by the moving train.

28 represents a stud pin formed upon the rod 21 projecting through the casing 7, and 29 represents a spring fixed upon said rod for returning the rod 21 to normal position when the sliding frame and its cam 26 has been moved to the left disengaging the cam 26 from the rod 21, which action will draw the trip lever 23 upward to its actuated position.

It will be seen that the length of sleeve 12 and its rib 15 governing the distance in which the switch rails can be automatically operated when they occupy a position between their complete movements, which will enable the switch rails to be automatically thrown to clear the main line when they are moved to but the slightest degree to a main line closing position.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a railway switch throwing device, movable switch rails, and manual switch rail throwing device in combination with means placed intermediate of said switch rails and manual throwing device main tained under tension irrespective of a movement of the manual switch control whereby when the tension is released it will auto matically move the switch rail to one posiest/322s tion, and means for releasing the tension of said intermediate switch tl'nowing means, substantially as described.

2. In a railway switch throwing device, a casing, means movably mounted witnin said casing for manually throwing the switch rails of a railway, means carried by said movable means maintained under tension irrespective of a movement of the manual switch control, the release of the tension moving the switch rails in one direction automatically, and means for releasing said tension at a distant point, substantially as described.

3. In a railway switch throwing device, a casing, means movably mounted. within said casing for manually throwing the switch rails of a railway, means carried by said movable means maintained under tension irrespective of a movement oi the manual switch control, the release of the tension moving the switch rails in one direction automatically, and means for releasing said tension when the said movable member occupies a position opposite from its extreme movement in one direction, substantially as described.

l. in a railway switch throwing device, movable switch rails, manual switch rail throwing device, a casing placed intermediate of said switch rails and manual throwing device, a sliding member in connection with said manual switch throwing device at one end, means carried by said sliding member maintained under tension in one direction and. connected to said switch rails for manually shil'ting said switch rails through the manual switch throwing device, tripping means for engaging said. tension means to effeet a release with the sliding member in. one position of its movement, substantially as described.

in a railway switch. throwing device, means for automatically throwing the switch rails in one direction, comprising a sliding frame, means movably mounted upon said sliding frame and maintained in one position under tension, and in connection with the switch rails, means for releasing saidtension controlled means for moving the same independent of said sliding frame, substantially as described.

6. In a railway switch throwing device, means for manually moving the switch rails, means carried thereby maintained under tension for automatically moving the switch rails in one direction independent of the position of the means for manual control, means for releasing said tension controlled means to effect an automatic movement of the switch rails, and means for throwing said releasing means out of commission automatically through the movement of said manual controlling means in one direction, substantially as described.

7. in a railway switch throwing device, a frame for manually throwing the switch rails, a catch carried by said means in connection with said switch rails, means for maintaining said catch in one position under tension upon said frame and when released automatically moving the switch rails in one direction and moving with said frame for manual movement of the switch rails, and means for releasing said catch from a distant point for automatically moving the switch rails in one direction and after the frame occupies a position opposite its extreme movement toward which the catch 'is automatically thrown, substantially as described.

8. in a railway switch throwing device, means for manually moving the switch rails, means carried thereby maintained'under tension irrespective of a movement of the manual switch control for automatically moving the switch rails in one direction independent of the position. of the means for manual control, means for releasing said tension controlled means to effect an automatic movement of the switch rails, substantially as described.

9. in a railway switch throwing device, means for moving the switch rails, means maintained under tension irrespective of the movement of the manual switch control for automatically moving the switch rails in one direction when released, and means for releasing said tension controlled means at a distant point when the switch rails occupy a position from their extreme movement in one direction, substantially as described.

10. in a railway switch throwing device, means for manually moving the switch rails, ieans maintained under tension irrespective of the movement of said manual control for automatically moving the switch rails in one direction, means for releasing said tension controlled means to effect an automatic movement of tire switch rails, and means maintaining said releasing means out of commission at the limit of one movement of said manual control, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN N. QUINN. Witnesses OLIVER B. KAISER, LE0 QDONNELL 

